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“Honestly Dandy, when do you think this will be over…?” Astro said as he watched Dandy play over footage of their latest run.
“Hm? What over?” Dandy said as he wrote down some notes over the piles upon piles of paper he had on his desk.
“This…operation.”
Dandy stopped writing, his hand hovering over the papers as he bit his lip. “…I don’t know.”
“…I’m really tired.” Astro said with a small voice.
“I know.” Dandy said as he placed the pencil down. “I know, Astro.”
It’s been a few years already…and no progress. Dandy had taken full responsibility for the so-called ichor project he had proposed to the toons. Dandy said that to survive for now, due to their creators leaving, they would need to do the machines. Get ichor into the abandoned facility to support themselves while Dandy figured out a way to fix things. To fix the Twisteds that lurked within Gardenview.
The lobby was the only safe area. Toons respawned their after their runs and get to still go on with their daily lives, taking turns for runs, and for some reason…not remembering anything about their gruesome death. The runs felt like dreams to them, blurry and distant from them. They can only remember snip-bits, but anything before they met their demise was just…gone. Poofed.
Except for one toon. Astro Novalite. Dandy’s best friend whose been with him for the entire operation. He remembered everything and he meant everything. Astro often came to him with heavier eyebags over the years, almost passing out by the time he reached his room. It worried Dandy to no end…but he needed Astro to keep going.
Astro was helpful in his research to learn more about the Twisteds and their behavior, so that he could find a way to get them back to their original form…or maybe improve their own forms. It was also to figure out if the system he planted was even good to sustain them for the next decade while he researched.
Astro hated the system he implemented though. He adamantly despised it, saying that it was wrong. But he couldn’t do anything about it.
The system Astro loathed was one that took innocent lives over and over. The toons would fill the machines with ichor by completing them. The ichor would then power the facility’s power to allow them to still have electricity. It was also a way to revive the toons when they died.
The Twisteds hunted for ichor, so when they go on the runs…they’re basically food for them. It was a way to keep them satiated and to prevent them from trying to go to the lobby or toon rooms. The rooms are currently the safest places and they wanted to keep it that way. But Astro was tired.
All the toons were becoming more suspicious of him the more the years go by. His association with Dandy had caused them to become a little more…cautious. In their foggiest memory, they could still remember Dandy becoming angry with the toons, his face contorting as they refused to give him tapes. Little did they know the tapes were the only thing holding Dandy together before they were snuffed out by him.
Astro still did his job, the whole dream giving thing. But he always felt guilt for peeping into them, for knowing too much. For keeping secrets from everyone he knows and loves. It was an irony, wasn’t it? He knows everyone’s hopes and desires from their dreams, but they knew nothing about what was behind the scenes except him. The guilt gnawed at him every day. Especially since at least two of the mains treat him differently now.
Sprout became more curt with him. He still cared for him but it didn’t feel the same as before. Vee became more worried for him? He couldn’t really explain it. She would always tell him to come to her for anything constantly, especially during runs or after he had hung out with Dandy. Shelly was more or less still the same, although he felt like she was putting a cheerful front. He wondered if it had anything to do with her previous handler, who had the exact same cheer gesture. She never had that before the whole operation happened.
Astro slumped against the wall. “You know it hurts when you kill me right?”
“…Sorry…”
Astro glared. “I can still feel it, Dandy. Right here.” Astro patted his back.
“Sorry I crushed you. I had to make it believable. Y’know…not wanting to show favoritism am I right?” Dandy said with a nervous grin and shrug.
“You didn’t have to kill Sprout while he was trying to heal me.”
“His stealth is higher than yours. I couldn't help but steer towards him. You know I can’t fully control my Twisted form.” Astro kept glaring at him. “I said I’m sorry. Isn’t that enough?”
“I genuinely wish you understood how it feels to be mauled, crushed and punched to death.”
“Oh c’mon, Astro. Don’t be like that! I feel like I’m making genuine progress this time! I just know it.” He walked to Astro, crouching down to his level. He gave a reassuring smile as he rested his hands onto Astro’s shoulders. “You’re really helping y’know? I’m really sorry that you have to go through this. But it’s for the sake of Gardenview! You know that!”
“…”
“C’mon! Remember that one episode quote? “At the end of the day, it’s just you and I against the world! Dandy and Astro saving the day!” Dandy gently shook Astro’s shoulders. “We can do that! Just keep going. I can feel it, we’ll make a breakthrough and make it out of here. You trust me…right?”
“…”
Dandy poked Astro’s cheek multiple times. “C’mooon, say it back! Best friend? The bestest in the world? C’mon, c’mon, c’mon!”
Astro sighed heavily before looking at Dandy with a tired smile. “I trust you.” Dandy smiled back.”… But I’m taking two weeks off.”
Dandy’s eyes widen. “Aw! What? But you’re necessary for the research! A huge part of it even!”
“I know but…Dandy, I’m genuinely so tired. Brightney and Dazzle has been eyeing me in worry every time I wake up from passing out. Hell! They traped me in a blanket cocoon during book club and dragged me to my room because I looked so dead they thought I was a ghost! Do you know how worrying it is to be compared to Connie!?”
“Sheesh! Okay! Dang Astro, didn’t know you got the vocal cords in you still.”
Astro scowled which caused Dandy to pull back a hand to cough into it. “Ahem! Anyways, I have been pushing you hard for a very long time now. So! Off to bed with you! I’ll see you later in two weeks!”
“Mhm.” Astro said as he got up, leaving to go open the door.
Astro and Dandy were still close. Close like two peas in a pod. But nowadays their conversations have only been about Gardenview plans, what to do next, and what did Astro figure out that day after a run. It was all work and Astro grew tired of it. A small break wouldn’t hurt.
And a small break it was because for five days straight, Astro was basically in what was deemed a sleep coma by Brightney. Nothing woke him up. Despite Shrimpo screaming, Goob’s tight hugs and Looey’s clown horn going off near him, it didn’t do anything. He was fully gone and asleep. This stressed out the toons since Astro had always watched over their dreams since the beginning.
But he looked peaceful for once, the eyebags under his eye seemed to have lessen as the days went by. The toons decided to leave him be until he felt ready to wake up. It was the least they could do.
Sprout had been the one checking on him more than any other toon. He always brought an extra plate of food, hoping the smell would wake him up, or was seen sleeping near him when the morning came. Everyone chalked it up to Sprout being a worrywart again given his nature.
The toons were luckily able to sleep without any nightmares, leaving everyone relieved they didn’t need to wake up in the middle of the night to ask Astro for help with their dreams.
Astro finally woke up, his eyes blurry to the point he had to rub his eyes harshly in an attempt to see again. He yawns, stretching his four arms out as he loosened any aches from sleeping for so long. He suddenly heard the door open. He turned his head to see a plate of pancakes held by a white glove slip through the crack of the door. A head comically poked out from the eyeing the room. It was Sprout.
“I see the moon has finally decided to rise from the horizon.” Sprout teased as he walks over to the bed.
“Sprout. What a pleasant surprise to see you here.” Astro said as he watched Sprout. “…Why are you here…?”
Sprout sat on the seat next to Astro’s bed. Astro raised a brow at this. He didn’t remember placing that chair there. He stared at the chair before being interrupted by the handle of a fork near his face. He flinched a bit out of surprise, his back hitting the headboard. He groaned as he rubbed his back.
“Sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you.“ Sprout said as he still held the fork out.
“It’s okay…”Astro said as he eyed the pancakes Sprout was holding. It was blueberry pancakes that were sliced into manageable pieces to bite into.
Astro was very surprised by the thoughtfulness. He wouldn't comment on it however.
“Here, eat it while it’s still warm.” Sprout said as he handed the plate and fork to him.
“…Thanks…” Astro took the fork and plate from Sprout, holding it up as he stared at pancakes.
“Well? Eat up.” Sprout motioned towards the plate.
Astro nodded hesitantly. He stabbed the fork through the pancake slice and bit into it. The blueberry and soft pancake bursted with flavor, gracing his tastebuds as he continued to chew. He made a small delighted sound as he began to eat more. Sprout smiled and leaned back onto the the chair, his arms crossing as he watched Astro demolish the plate.
"This is very good, Sprout. Very delicious." Astro said as he licked away some of the syrup stuck to his lips.
"You gotta thank Cosmo for that. I almost burnt the first batch before he took over." Sprout said as he rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward grin.
"You really need to learn how to use the kitchen appliances better, Sprout. I'm worried more about the fire you'll cause than the Twi-" Astro stopped himself.
"...Yeah...ha ha! Don't worry. I'm better than when I was younger. Can't you tell?" Sprout said leaned onto the bed with his arms on top of the sheets.
"Mm. Not really. Remember last week...?"
"Oh come on! I just wanted to see if it would cook faster if I set it to a higher temperature."
"Did it?"
"..." Sprout grumbled as he laid his chin onto his arms.
"Thought so." Astro said with a small smile.
"I thought it was smart! Cut me some slack!" Sprout whined as he buried his face into his arms.
Astro chuckled. He had forgotten how fun it was to tease Sprout. It was usually the other way around, but when he did it back it always felt like an accomplishment. Astro tapped the fork onto the plate as he reminisced. It's been a while since they hung out like this. He could almost pretend they were close again.
"Astro?" Sprout said quietly.
"Mm? What is it?" Astro said as he looked at the toon beside him.
"No it's—it's nothing.” Sprout tapped his finger nervously on the bed. “You just…look better without the eye bags."
"Heh, yeah. Nothing like some good sleep. I forgot to tell you guys but I’m planning on not going on runs for another week."
Sprout's eyes widen. "Really? But you've been to most of them since they started."
"Mm. I know. I just...I just need a break. I'll go back soon enough. Don't worry."
"...What if I don't want you to go back soon enough..."
"What...?" Astro said in astonishment, placing the empty plate down onto his lap.
Sprout gripped the sheets beneath him. "You always look so tired after the runs. Like you've been put through the ringer or something. Everyone looks completely fine, but you always looked more shaken up than anyone."
"I'm fine. I'm always tired. I just want to go back to my room and sleep. Nothing to it."
"You think I don't know you?" Sprout said as his voice began to rise up in volume.
"I think I know myself plenty well." Astro said as he glared at Sprout.
"Astro you can tell me anything. Anything at all. I hate seeing you like this.”
“I’m fine, it was just some catch up sleep.”
“Astro you’ve been out cold for five days.” Sprout said as he glowered at him.
“…Five days…?” Astro said in horror.
“Yes, Astro, five DAYS. It was five days! We thought you would’ve woken up by the third, but you were still deathly asleep! You know how worried we all were!?”
“…I—I didn’t know. I’m sorr-“
“If you were really sorry then you’d stop associating yourself with Dandy!” Sprout yelled.
“He has nothing to do with this!” Astro yelled back, the plate making an audible clink sound as Astro slammed his hands against his bed in anger
“Ever since his whole operation, you’ve been looking worse for wear. You’ve even stopped talking to us too!”
“Because you guys keep looking at me—at me, weird! You keep looking at me like I did something.”
“Because you’re keeping something from us! You always look so guilty. Don’t think that I didn’t notice.”
“Wow. Great observational skills, Sprout. Truly the renowned Sprout Seedly will tell me how I feel by looks alone. Don’t be ridiculous, I’m fine. Now go away please. Go hang out with Cosmo and just leave me to my break.”
Sprout suddenly jumped onto the bed, grabbing Astro by the shoulders as he straddled his legs, trapping him in place. Astro flinched by the sudden movement, squirming from him as the plate fell off his lap from the tussle. His hands grabbed at the ones holding his shoulders, hoping to pry them off, until he looked up. Astro’s eyes widened. Sprout looked pissed.
“TALK TO ME!” Sprout yelled as he shook Astro’s shoulders. He then loosened his grip, his voice weak as he pleaded. “Don’t push me away.”
“…You’ve done a fine job doing that yourself…” Astro said as he looked away. Sprout’s stare was becoming too intense for him to handle.
“…You’re right. You’re right. I have. But—But I won’t anymore. I’m serious so please, please be honest. What’s going on…?”
“…” Astro bit the inside of his cheek anxiously. If he knew about the system. He would hate him. He was known to be overprotective afterall…so hearing that he and Dandy had allowed them to be like a slaughterhouse…
“…Get off me.” Astro said with a quiet voice.
“No. No please just-“
“I said get off me.” Astro repeated, staring straight at him, his tone more demanding this time.
“…Fine.” Sprout said as he let Astro go, sliding off of him as he did. However he still sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers turning white as he gripped the sheets. “You really won’t say anything?”
“…” Astro looked away again, holding his legs to his chest.
“…Be that way then…I hope you know what you’re doing, Astro.” Sprout said as he got up and grabbed the empty plate.
Sprout took a short glance back. Astro still wasn’t looking at him. Sprout huffed in frustration, shaking his head as his footsteps left heavy thuds against the floor as he roughly opened and slammed the door.
Once Sprout left, Astro sighed heavily, running a hand down his face as he tried to calm down. A few stray tears left him before wiping them away harshly. He couldn’t tell Sprout what he knows. He can’t tell anyone. If he did…everyone would lose hope. They would feel lost and afraid. Everything in Gardenview would feel desolate. Everything could change. He hated change.
All he could do was trust that Dandy could figure it out. He has to trust him.
Because right now, that’s all he has.